<p>Seems like there is an excellent cross-section of experience here.</p>
<p>My 17yo is getting bunion surgery next month. Her toes bend way over now, getting worse over the years and now she has to be super careful with how much she does, the shoes she wears, etc. She’s done the orthotics, the brace, the icing, the elevating.</p>
<p>I just hate to see her get something like this done so early, especially if it impacts her decades down the road. On the other hand, if it provides relief, why continue waiting?</p>
<p>Her issue is that the nerve lays right over the bunion, so while her dad has them, his don’t hurt because the nerve isn’t involved. This will involve shaving it down, realigning the great toe and a screw.</p>
<p>I feel most concerned over a screw lasting a lifetime.</p>
<p>Any of you have this done? What has the long term impact been?</p>
<p>I am double jointed so have issues all over my body.
Does she have high arches?
I had one foot done, probably 16 years ago. It was pretty major, I have three screws after realigning the joints. Its outpatient surgery, and is done with local anesthetic. Much preferable to general.
Screws arent generally a problem. Some people have all kinds of things in their bodies. I just had a total knee replacement in May, although because I am sensitive to metals, they used a titanium device. Ive had no reaction to the screws in my foot.</p>
<p>Interesting you’re double jointed, my daughter has very loose joints. It made her a great gymnast, but there are lots of downsides to it we’re discovering. I have a feeling she’ll be dealing with shoulder issues down the road as well.</p>
<p>I had this done a year ago. I highly recommend getting it fixed. Had I realized how “simple” the procedure and recup. was going to be, I would have had it done years ago.</p>
<p>Mine were do to being born with flat feet (and little arch). Overtime, the joint became chronically painful. The doctor noticed arthritic changes in the joint and well as the development of a bone cyst on top of the bunion.</p>
<p>After being cleared for the surgery about a week before the scheduled surgery, I went into the surgical center in the morning around 9:00am. I was called into the pre-op area around 9:30am. The nurses put an IV and the surgeon greeted me and asked me a few questions.
I think I was wheeled into the operating room around 10:00am. and was put to sleep via something being injected into the IV. The next thing I remember is being woken up by the nurse after the surgery. I remember being mad at her because I was having such a good sleep :). I checked out of the surgical center at noon with my foot wrapped and in a boot. The pain level was less than what I felt on a daily basis with the bunion.</p>
<p>The procedure involved cutting the bone/shaving the bunion, re-aligning and straightening the bones, and then the insertion of 2 screws to hold it all into place. The area was closed with stitches. It was wrapped tightly to hold the foot into a specific position. </p>
<p>As with many broken bones, healing took about 6 weeks. I think I spent about 4 weeks in a boot and 2 weeks in a surgical shoe (lighter and easier to deal with). The foot can swell on and off for up to a year, but your daughter has youth on her side. There were follow up appointments with my foot doctor (my surgeon) for about 8 weeks.</p>
<p>I don’t regret it one bit. I no longer have pain in the foot.</p>
<p>I haven’t had this surgery yet but will someday and know a lot of people who have. Their experience is the same as the above, very easy recovery and totally worth it. The only reason I haven’t done it yet is because I’m not in any real discomfort yet. My collapsing arches cause loads of problems, but the bunions themselves aren’t an issue yet. When they are, I won’t hesitate to have the surgery.</p>
<p>She may seem young to have such a procedure, but I’d argue she’s too young to have to worry about bunion pain! Good luck! I think she will thank you for supporting her having this done now.</p>
<p>I would encourage you and your D to ask the docs proposing the bunionectomy about your concern as to how long the screw(s) will last and what happens if/when it fails. I’d also ask about what should be done in the future to avoid future bunions. Getting as much info up front will allow for informed choices and decisions. Good luck!</p>
<p>I had both feet done, one when I was in college (38 years ago) and the other about five years later. I don’t think I had any screws put in. I was on crutches for about a month or so - don’t think they had the boot thingy way back when. I was very good and didn’t put any weight on it until the all clear and have had no trouble at all with that bunion. The other foot I didn’t follow the drs. instructions as much - I went out dancing and such, so I do occasionally have pain in that one and the swelling never really went down. I wear all different types of shoes except flip flops and flats - but that because I’ve had plantar fasciitis.</p>
<p>I had surgery 4.5 years ago to correct bad bunion (big toe crossed to 2nd toe) and hammertoe on 2nd toe. Surgeon did the cosmetic procedure of just shaving bunion and taking notch from 2nd bone in big toe and fused my 2nd toe straight. Given the severity of the bunion he should have worked on the bone in the foot. </p>
<p>It was not a perfect success. The recovery was long and painful. I was on crutches nearly a month and could not fit into my regular sneakers for another 2 after 2x/week PT. I did start running again 6 months after the surgery. </p>
<p>The bunion has returned. I see a new podiatrist who shakes his head at what the first guy did. He did remove the screw from my big toe 6 months ago due to associated nerve pain. I was walking later that day and in my regular shoes a week later and missed very little time at the gym and no pain. </p>
<p>Make sure ou pick the surgeon/podiatrist well. I was referrred to the first guy by a friend who has minor bunion surgery 5-7 years enforce but after my surery all I have heard were horror stories of the guys work.</p>
<p>I had this done after years of pain. My surgeon (head of podiatry at Brighams and Womens in Boston) used a dissolvable screw. My foot feels fantastic now. Should have done it years earlier. I had started favoring my bad foot- leading to back and hip pain. Get it fixed now. Why be in pain?</p>
<p>I have had both feet done. The first one was done at age 17 years ago. The Dr. cut all the way thru the bone above the bunion cutting out a wedge and realigning the toe using pins, as well as shaving down the bunion. It turned out perfectly and 40 years later still looks great. The other foot was done about 8 years ago. That Dr. Told me it was not necessary to cut thru the bone and shaved it down. He also cut the tendon on the next toe to relax a hammer toe. The bunion is returning and the former hammer toe does not lie flat and catches on things. Your D’s youth will aid recovery. Just make sure what the Dr. is doing will be a permanent fix.</p>
<p>I had the surgery on both feet the summer I turned 22, and I’m now 56. As far as I can tell, it was a great success – my feet have never given me any trouble. I have very high arches and pronation. For a while when I was younger I had custom orthotics, but I love love love high heels and they just didn’t work well together :rolleyes:. I still wear 3-4 inch heels every day for work and have no problem wearing them all day. Of course, by now the bunions have returned due to poor choice of footwear, and my feet look like hell so I avoid open-toed shoes. But it certainly was worth it and not a problem having the surgery so young, if it’s necessary.</p>
<p>Has anyone had bunionectomies on both feet at the same time? Is getting around without a wheelchair even possible? Also,if you have surgery on your right foot, how long are you told not to drive? Thanks for all your help!</p>
<p>Catpb: Yes. No (at least not for me - shoulder/back issues made crutches not possible for any distance.) Originally 4 weeks, and then only wearing walking cast (boot) which was awkward. Healing problems & complications more than doubled the time. </p>
<p>My advice (worth what you paid): Don’t do it. I saw my podiatrist recently for ongoing problems and discussed more surgery. I was assured the recovery period will be quicker since only one foot is involved. I commented on how stupid it was to have done both at once previously, saw shocked expression on doctor’s face and quickly said it was my own idea and I insisted against the doctor’s better judgment. Lesson learned.</p>
<p>I had bunion surgery on my right foot five years ago and on my left foot one year ago. Both feet had a bunion on the big toe side and the little toe side (Tailor’s Bunion). The first foot was done with the cutting of the bones and realigned using pins. The second foot was the same except screws were used as my new doctor (the first doctor had retired) did not use pins due to the increased possibility of infection). I too wanted both feet done at the same time but the doctor told me not to because, “You won’t be a happy camper”. The second recovery was much faster which I attribute to the screws offering greater stability. From what I have read, if you eventually need or want the screw removed, it is most often not a major problem. Both of my doctor’s decided when I could return to driving. Obviously you should not drive if you have a boot on your right foot, though I have heard some wild stories of people driving with their left foot! I also drive a standard, so rule of thumb is the driver must be able to wear a shoe on the affected foot.</p>
<p>I had both feet done at the same time and, retrospectively, wouldn’t change anything. Followed my aunt’s recommendation–She had one done and never found time to do the second one. I was able to get to the bathroom pretty much right away. Recovery wasn’t all that bad. </p>
<p>One of the smartest things I’ve done. Surgery was 26 years ago now. I saw the genetic hand-writing on the wall, based on the feet in my family (mother and her sisters). My bunions were painful (and quite ugly!) and I was only 31. Surgeon said younger patients often get better results. </p>
<p>In the grand scheme of things, getting them done at the same time is the way to go. Good luck.</p>
<p>Sounds somewhat similar to discussions about whether to have wisdom teeth extracted all at the same time or fewer more often. Sounds like you may wish to discuss your D’s case further with her docs.</p>
<p>Only one foot is really bad. I told her at least when you’re young you don’t have the time obligations you do when you get older. I wouldn’t want her doing both at once. </p>
<p>I was just wondering how long those screws could last from people who actually lived through it. The doc doesn’t think they ever go bad. He keeps saying her age is on her side.</p>
<p>And she’ll get all 4 wisdom teeth out too, but we’re waiting on that until she’s back up and on her feet. What a summer!</p>
<p>Here’s an article talking about different ways of securing the portions of the foot involved in bunionectomy. Several do NOT involve screws, which sometimes MAY cause an allergic reaction or MAY need to be surgically removed. Would definitely discuss your concerns with the doc, especially pros and cons of the best method and tools for your D. </p>